Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 28th. May 2009.

Present: Councillor R. Dawson (Chair)

Councillors J. F. Sargeant, C. E. Taylor & S. R. Weston. Two Members of the Public.

13/9. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T Beastall & L. Bills.

14/9. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

15/9. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

16/9. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

17/9. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30th. April 2009 had been circulated. It was agreed that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

18/9. Matters Arising.

A letter had been sent to Staffs. County Council asking if the listed canal bridges in Denford Road could carry the weight of these vehicles and whether a permanent weight limit restriction could be imposed.

No reply had yet been received.

The Chairman reported on a discussion which had taken place regarding the damage to the canal bridge in Denford Road. It appeared that the County Council had now passed over responsibility for the repairs to British Waterways who actually owned the bridge.

He also reported that the damaged bench mark stone on the “top” canal had still not been repaired.

The dates for the removal of the Himalayan Balsam on the canal towpath had still not been arranged but the growth was not yet at the correct time for removal.

A letter had been received from the owner of the pond area in School Lane’s solicitor suggesting dates for meetings at St. Chad’s Church Room but due to the absence of the Clerk on holiday the meetings had not been able to be arranged. It was agreed to reply, after the usual perusal of the letter, suggesting further dates in June 2009 and mentioning a charge of £20 – 00 for the hire of the room. It was also agreed to answer some of the points in the letter:- work on the pond being undertaken by Councillors voluntarily until 2001 when the Council joined the lengthsman scheme, to point out that individual Councillors were not empowered to instruct contractors without the authority of the full Council and that there had been no one who had contacted the Council asking for the history of the pond.

A further letter on the matter had been received from the Information Commissioners Office setting out their requirements on the matter. Copies of the replies sent would be forwarded as instructed.

Letter had been sent to Staffs. Moorlands District Council asking about any comments it had received from the Parish Council regarding the Local Development Framework consultations. A reply confirmed that no comments had been received specifically from the Parish Council.

Before the agreed letter could be sent to Mrs. D. Kent asking if she would continue planting the village tubs a letter had been received from her pointing out that she was no longer able to continue with the work and would be removing the rotten tub in Sutherland Road. It was agreed that the Chairman visit a local nursery to ask for a quotation to do the planting, with the Chairman and Clerk having authority to authorise the work should a reasonable quotation be obtained.

A reply to a letter, dated January 2009, regarding the fatal accident on the A53 Leek Road, Longsdon, had been received from Staffs. County Council pointing out that accident data is collected by the County Council Investigation Team and the location will continue to be monitored.

A further reply from the County Council to a January letter about a missing grit bin near to the entrance to the old Waterworks had been received. This pointed out that there were no plans to install a grit bin at this location due to the closeness of another grit bin at the junction of Sutherland Road and Micklea Lane.

It was reported that:

  the cheque for the renewal of the Council’s insurance had been forwarded.
  letter had been sent to the S.M.D.C. Planning Depart about regulations for caravan sites.

19/9. Correspondence.

A notice had been received from Staffs. Moorlands District Council’s Development Control Manager giving details of consultation participatory events where views could be given on a Supplementary Planning Document on Design. The events would be held at Cheadle on 29th. May 2009 and Biddulph on 11th. June 2009.

Information received under this item was:

invitation to make proposals to Sustainable Communities Act, 2007 – from Staffs. Moorlands District Council.
notice of AGM of Staffs. Moorlands Neighbourhood Watch Association on Thursday 11th. June 2009.
notice of NI7 Conference at Staffs. County Showground on Tuesday 23rd. June 2009.
various election notices – posted on notice boards.
Clerks & Councils Direct – May issue.

20/9. Planning Matters.

The unauthorised access in Denford Road now appeared to have been made permanent with an entrance gate and posts. This had been reported to the Staffs. Moorlands Enforcement Dept. which had e.mailed to report that the matter would be investigated.

21/9. Finance Matters & Orders for Payment.

As the Audit Commission had requested sight of the Council’s Risk Assessment policy, a statement of risks had been prepared, a copy presented to Councillors, and it was agreed that this statement be accepted as an up to date Risk Assessment Policy.

The Council’s internal auditor had completed his review of the annual accounts and reported that he had found that the internal controls in place were effective and that the records and accounts maintained were kept to a high standard and in good order. There were no matters which needed to be brought to the attention of the Council.

He had prepared the figures for submission on the Annual Return and signed his portion of the Return. It was agreed that the Annual Return Form be approved and submitted together with explanations of variations from last years accounts and bank reconciliations etc.

It was reported that the former Longsdon Regeneraton bank account had now been formally closed and a cheque for the balance from the account in the sum of £8 – 66 had been forwarded to the Parish Council. It was agreed that this be paid into the Council’s bank account.

It was unanimously agreed that the following items be paid:-

22/9. Public Comments.

A member of the public who was part of the Dunwood Community First Responders gave details of the work of the Responders group, including details of the necessary training, uniforms etc. and asked if the Council would consider a grant towards its work. Councillor Taylor declared an interest in the matter and took no part in the discussions. It was unanimously agreed that a grant of £600 – 00 be made to the organisation. A cheque for this amount was duly signed.

A question was also asked about the replacement of the missing “Children” sign at the entrance to the old Waterworks site which was requested in August 2007. It was agreed to write to the Divisional Highways Manager and also ask about the promised Village signs.

23/9. Any Other Business.

The Council’s lengthman had reported that the public seat in Sutherland Road was collapsing. It was agreed that the seat be inspected with a view to repairing same.

24/9. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 2nd. July 2009 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.

 The Chairman thanked Councillors for their attendance and duly closed the meeting.